FROM FABRIC TO FASHION: Shearling Coat

Hi babes! Today’s article is about my most recent purchase and the story behind it. I thought it would be nice to share it with you guys since it was a fun experiment. Enjoy reading!

When the summery weather was getting ready to leave, saying goodbye to the people in Holland and wasn’t planning on coming back for a whole year, I decided that it was time to make my wardrobe autumn/winter-proof. Starting off with a new coat! I’ve literally worn out the coat that I wore last year around this time. So it was time for some shopping! And let that be exactly the one thing I like to do most J

Soon, I stumbled across the perfect coat. It was a shearling coat, exactly what I had in mind. The model was perfect. The lining was not too hot, not too cold and I had fallen in love with the soft fabric. I would have taken it with me ride away, if it wasn’t for just a small problem… I had found my dream coat at the children section at H&M. The “kids under 10 years” collection, if I’m being precisely. There was no way I could fit into that with my sixteen years. I was really bummed because I had already set my heart on that coat…

And then I saw the light… Just kidding, then a good idea crossed my mind. 

As it happens I always let my clothes shorten by a tailor in the city. With my 5’3 I’m a dwarf compared to the rest of the population in the Netherlands (which are the tallest people in the world, according to many researches - I don’t know what where it went wrong with me…) so all clothes are actually standard too long for me. Therefore I’m now a regular customer at the tailor. 

To get to the point, my idea was to copy the mini coat exactly, only then somewhat larger. I didn’t know if this was actually possible. So I went to the tailor, showed him a picture and he said to my delight, that it was possible!

What I’ve done as follows. First, I bought the mini coat (with the purpose on bringing it back later) that would serve as example. Then I ordered the right fabric online, which would be used to make the new coat.  

A week later I went back to the tailor and gave him the fabric and mini coat. I was being measured and then I was told that I could pick up the new coat within one or two weeks.

                                 H&M Coat                                                                            New Coat

And yesterday the moment had finally come! I got a message that it was ready to pick up. I went with some nerves to the tailor; of course there was a chance that it would turn out as a failure and that it was just a waist. 

Thank God, it was the opposite! The coat ended up being beautiful and exactly as how I had it in mind. I have to say, that man is a hero! All credits goes to him.  a little detour, I have managed to get my hands on the perfect coat and I’ll be totally comfortable during the expected colder months!

And finally, for those who wonder how much this project has cost me. I paid €70,- at the tailor for the making of the coat. I had already spend €30,- on the fabric, so the coat was €100,- altogether. Pretty expensive, might some people say, but I think that it’s a good investment. I’m sure I’ll get much joy out of this coat for a long time J

Do you have a garment with a fun story behind it?

Love, 

Roos